Iontophoresis device

Abstract

One or more electrodes of an iontophoresis device may include a composite ion exchange membrane comprising a first ion exchange membrane of a first polarity and a second ion exchange membrane of a second polarity, or a first ion exchange membrane of the first polarity, a semi-permeable membrane, and a second ion exchange membrane of the second polarity. The respective membranes may be integrally coupled together. This may lead to simplified production processes, automated production, mass production, and reductions in production costs for the iontophoresis device.

1 . An iontophoresis device, comprising an electrode assembly that includes a composite ion exchange membrane, the composite ion exchange membrane comprising a first ion exchange membrane of a first polarity and a second ion exchange membrane of a second polarity placed on and integrally coupled to the first ion exchange membrane.  
     
     
         2 . The iontophoresis device according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the electrode assembly further comprises a first electrode, and a first electrolyte solution reservoir that holds an electrolyte solution that contacts the first electrode;    the composite ion exchange membrane is placed on a front surface side of the first electrolyte solution reservoir;    the first ion exchange membrane is placed on a front surface side of the second ion exchange membrane; and    the first ion exchange membrane is doped with active agent ions of the first polarity.    
     
     
         3 . The iontophoresis device according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 the electrode assembly further comprises a first electrode, a first electrolyte solution reservoir that holds an electrolyte solution that contacts with the first electrode, and an active agent solution reservoir that holds an active agent solution containing active agent ions of the first polarity, the active agent solution reservoir being placed on a front surface side of the first electrolyte solution reservoir; and    the composite ion exchange membrane is placed between the first electrolyte solution reservoir and the active agent solution reservoir.    
     
     
         4 . An iontophoresis device, comprising an electrode assembly that includes a composite ion exchange membrane, the composite ion exchange membrane comprising a first ion exchange membrane of a first polarity, a semi-permeable membrane placed on and integrally coupled to the first ion exchange membrane, and a second ion exchange membrane of a second polarity placed on and integrally coupled to the semi-permeable membrane.  
     
     
         5 . The iontophoresis device according to  claim 4  wherein: 
 the electrode assembly further comprises a first electrode, and a first electrolyte solution reservoir that holds an electrolyte solution that contacts the first electrode;    the composite ion exchange membrane is placed on a front surface side of the first electrolyte solution reservoir;    the first ion exchange membrane is placed on a front surface side of the second ion exchange membrane; and    the first ion exchange membrane is doped with active agent ions of the first polarity.    
     
     
         6 . The iontophoresis device according to  claim 4  wherein: 
 the electrode assembly further comprises a first electrode, a first electrolyte solution reservoir that holds an electrolyte solution that contacts with the first electrode, and an active agent solution reservoir that holds an active agent solution containing active agent ions of the first polarity, the active agent solution reservoir being placed on a front surface side of the first electrolyte solution reservoir; and    the composite ion exchange membrane is placed between the first electrolyte solution reservoir and the active agent solution reservoir.    
     
     
         7 . An iontophoresis device, comprising: 
 an active electrode assembly holding active agent ions of a first polarity; and    a counter electrode assembly as a counter electrode of the active electrode assembly, the counter electrode assembly comprising:    a counter electrode;    a first counter electrolyte solution reservoir that holds an electrolyte solution in contact with the counter electrode;    a second counter electrolyte solution reservoir that holds an electrolyte solution, the second counter electrolyte solution reservoir being placed on a front surface side of the first counter electrolyte solution reservoir; and    a composite ion exchange membrane placed between the first counter electrolyte solution reservoir and the second counter electrolyte solution reservoir, the composite ion exchange membrane including a first ion exchange membrane of a first polarity and a second ion exchange membrane of a second polarity stacked on and integrally coupled to the first ion exchange membrane.    
     
     
         8 . An iontophoresis device, comprising: 
 an active electrode assembly holding active agent ions of a first polarity; and    a counter electrode assembly as a counter electrode of the active electrode assembly, the counter electrode assembly comprising:    a counter electrode;    a first counter electrolyte solution reservoir that holds an electrolyte solution in contact with the counter electrode;    a second counter electrolyte solution reservoir that holds an electrolyte solution, the second counter electrolyte solution reservoir being placed on a front surface side of the first counter electrolyte solution reservoir; and    a composite ion exchange membrane placed between the first counter electrolyte solution reservoir and the second counter electrolyte solution reservoir, the composite ion exchange membrane including a first ion exchange membrane of a first polarity, a semi-permeable membrane integrally coupled to the first ion exchange membrane, and a second ion exchange membrane of a second polarity integrally coupled to the semi-permeable membrane.    
     
     
         9 . A composite ion exchange membrane for iontophoresis, comprising: 
 a first ion exchange membrane of a first polarity; and    a second ion exchange membrane of a second polarity integrally coupled to the first ion exchange membrane.    
     
     
         10 . A composite ion exchange membrane for iontophoresis, comprising: 
 a first ion exchange membrane of a first polarity;    a semi-permeable membrane integrally coupled to the first ion exchange membrane; and    a second ion exchange membrane of a second polarity integrally coupled to the semi-permeable membrane.